Therapy device having a quick-change adapter and quick-change adapter

Abstract

The invention relates to a therapy device (1) comprising an actuator (3) having at least one axially protruding axle (5), mounted in a frame (2), and an end connection unit (6) that can be coupled to the actuator (3) via the axle (5), wherein an adapter piece (10) with an annular disc (11) is assigned to the axle (5) in order to produce a quick-change adapter (9), in which annular disc a fixing element is formed over at least a part of its circumference, and wherein a closure (13) is provided having a ring (15) comprising an annular opening (14), the width of which is matched to the diameter of the annular disc (11), on the inside of which ring a counter element corresponding with the fixing element is formed and at one free end of which a clamping lever (17) is arranged, which can be adjusted between a clamping position fixing the closure (13) on the adapter piece (10) and a release position releasing the closure (13). The invention also relates to a quick-change adapter (9).

Description

[0001] Therapy device with a quick-change adapter and quick-change adapter

[0002] DESCRIPTION:

[0003] The invention relates to a therapy device with an actuator mounted in a frame and having at least one axially projecting axis, and with an extremity connection unit that can be coupled to the actuator by the axis. An adapter piece with an annular disc is assigned to the axis to create a quick-change adapter, in which a fixing element is formed over at least part of its circumference. A closure is provided with a ring having a ring opening whose width is adapted to the diameter of the annular disc. On the inside of the ring opening a counter element corresponding to the fixing element is formed, and at one free end of the ring a clamping lever is arranged, which is adjustable between a clamping position that secures the closure to the adapter piece and a release position that releases the closure. The invention further relates to a quick-change adapter.

[0004] Through public prior use by the applicant and the IR model DM / 097 391, a therapy device with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known, which has proven itself in practice. This device uses a plug-in system for attaching footrests or armrests to the actuator, which requires plugging in the axial direction.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a therapy device in which the space required for mounting the extremity connection unit is reduced and this assembly is possible quickly and without the use of tools. This object is achieved by a therapy device having the features of claim 1 and by a quick-change adapter having the features of claim 11. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] The aforementioned therapy device is characterized by the use of a quick-change adapter, which enables the limb connection unit to be connected to the actuator in a radial direction. This means that the limb connection unit can be slid laterally onto the axis without requiring additional axial clearance. Adjusting the clamping lever is sufficient for securing the device and can be done quickly without tools. Another particularly advantageous feature is the positive locking effect created by the interaction of the fixing element with the counter element, which provides axial security and thus eliminates a disruptive degree of freedom when positioning the limb connection unit.

[0007] In this context, it is particularly preferred if one of the parts of the fixing element and the counter element is designed as a groove and the other part as an annular collar, as this provides a positive fit that reliably prevents axial displacement. The groove can be V-shaped in cross-section and the annular collar can be trapezoidal.

[0008] It is preferred if the groove is located centrally on the annular disc and the annular collar is formed on the ring, as this simplifies assembly, particularly since the V-shaped groove acts as a lead-in slope. This also further reduces play and improves axial fixation. It is also advantageous if the groove is located centrally on the annular disc, which is thus designed symmetrically with sufficient wall thickness on both sides of the groove.

[0009] The fixing of the closure to the ring disc is also improved by the fact that the clamping lever has a cam whose cross-section is adapted to the groove and which extends into the groove in the clamping position, as this allows the ring disc to be gripped further in the circumferential direction.

[0010] It is particularly preferred if the clamping lever is acted upon by the force of a spring that secures the clamping position. In this embodiment, the closure can simply be radially placed onto the annular disc of the adapter piece, where the closure is then self-locking and permanently secured until a user actively initiates a change against the force of the spring.

[0011] It should be noted that the ring opening is dimensioned in such a way that the ring disc, together with the clamping lever, encompasses the adapter piece over an arc of more than 180° in the clamping position, so that in particular the clamping lever additionally provides a positive connection which improves the positional security of the closure on the ring disc without having to rely solely on a clamping force or tensioning force.

[0012] In practice, it has proven useful if the axis can be releasably fixed in an axis holder of the actuator, i.e. the axis can be easily changed to adapt to the extremity connection unit or to vary the axial extension of the axis.

[0013] The axle also advantageously has a thread designed to cooperate with a threaded receptacle of the adapter piece.

[0014] For effective training or therapy, the axle, the extremity connection unit and the quick-change adapter are provided in duplicate and the extremity connection unit is selected from a group that includes a pedal, a foot shell, an armrest and a handle.

[0015] The quick-change adapter defined at the outset expediently has a radial bearing on its adapter piece to enable rotation. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figure, can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are also to be considered encompassed and disclosed by the invention that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figure, but which emerge and can be produced from the explained embodiments through separate feature combinations.

[0016] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments, and the drawings. Herein:

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the quick-change adapter with the closure separated from the adapter piece,

[0018] Figure 2 shows a representation corresponding to Figure 1 in the coupled state of the adapter piece and the closure,

[0019] Figure 3 is a plan view of the object of Figure 2, partially sectioned,

[0020] Figure 4 shows section IV-IV from Figure 3,

[0021] Figure 5 shows a representation corresponding to Figure 4 in the unlocked state of the lock,

[0022] Figure 6 is a view from below of the object from Figure 2,

[0023] Figure 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 6 in the unlocked state of the closure, Figure 8 is a perspective view of a foot shell as an extremity connection unit with the associated closure, before connection with the adapter piece,

[0024] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the object from Figure 8 after coupling,

[0025] Figure 10 is a perspective partial view of two handles as an extremity connection unit with the associated closure, shown on the left in the coupled state and on the right before coupling,

[0026] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the object of Figure 10 as part of a therapy device, shown on the left in the coupled state and on the right before the locking for coupling, and

[0027] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a therapy device with the receptacle for the axis of the adapter piece in an actuator.

[0028] Figure 12 shows a therapy device 1 with an actuator 3 mounted in a frame 2, in which axis receptacles 4 are formed on both sides, in each of which an axis 5 not shown in Figure 12 can be received.

[0029] On each of these axes 5, an extremity connection unit 6 is arranged which can be coupled to the actuator 3 by the axis 5, wherein as an example of an extremity connection unit 6, reference can be made to a pedal, a foot shell 7 (Figure 9), an armrest or a handle 8 (Figure 11).

[0030] To implement a quick-change adapter 9 shown in Figure 1, the axle 5 is assigned an adapter piece 10 with an annular disc 11, in which, in the illustrated embodiment, a groove 12 is formed as a fixing element over at least part of its circumference. Figure 3 shows that the groove 12 has a V-shaped cross-section and is arranged centrally on the annular disc 11. The axle 5 has a thread designed to cooperate with a threaded receptacle of the adapter piece 10, and the adapter piece 10 has a radial bearing.

[0031] Also part of the quick-change adapter 9 is a closure 13 with a ring 15 having an annular opening 14 whose width is adapted to the diameter of the annular disc 11. On the inside of the ring 15, an annular collar 16 is formed, whose cross-section corresponds to the groove 12 and acts as a counter-element to the fixing element. A clamping lever 17 is arranged at the free end of the ring 15 and is adjustable between a clamping position, which fixes the closure 13 to the adapter piece 10 and is shown in Figure 2, and a release position, which releases the closure 13 and is evident from Figure 1. Furthermore, the clamping lever 17 has a cam 18 whose cross-section is adapted to the groove 12 and which extends into the groove 12 in the clamping position. The annular opening 14 is dimensioned such that the annular disc 11, together with the clamping lever 17, encompasses the adapter piece 10 over an arc of more than 180° in the clamping position.In particular, it can be seen from Figures 6 and 7 that the clamping lever 17 is acted upon by the force of a spring 19 securing the clamping position.

[0032] For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that the assignment of the groove 12 and the annular collar 16 can also be inverted, i.e. the annular collar 16 can be assigned to the annular disc 11 and the groove 12 to the ring 15.

[0033] For the training or therapy of both extremities, i.e. both legs or both arms, the axis 5, the extremity connection unit 6 and the quick-change adapter 9 are provided in duplicate.

[0034] If an axle 5 is inserted into the axle holder 4 on each side of the actuator 3, to which axle the adapter piece 10 is fastened via the threaded connection, the extremity connection unit 6, for example the footrest 7 from Figure 9, can be assigned to the actuator 3 simply by radially plugging on the closure 13, wherein the clamping lever 17 is automatically secured by the pretension of the spring 19. In order to remove the footrest 7 again, for example because a patient is using the therapy device to train his upper extremities and an armrest is to be attached, the clamping lever 17 only has to be opened against the force of the spring 19 and the closure 13 can be pulled off radially without the need for tools and without requiring much space.

[0035] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS:

[0036] Therapy device

[0037] frame

[0038] Actuator

[0039] Axle mount

[0040] axis

[0041] Extremity connection unit

[0042] Footrest

[0043] handle

[0044] Quick-change adapter

[0045] adapter piece

[0046] Ring disc

[0047] Nut

[0048] closure

[0049] Ring opening

[0050] ring

[0051] Ring bundle

[0052] clamping lever

[0053] cam

[0054] Feather

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Therapy device (1) with an actuator (3) mounted in a frame (2) and having at least one axially projecting axis (5), and with an extremity connection unit (6) which can be coupled to the actuator (3) by the axis (5), characterized in that an adapter piece (10) with an annular disc (11) is assigned to the axis (5) to create a quick-change adapter (9), in which a fixing element is formed over at least part of its circumference, and in that a closure (13) is provided with a ring (15) having an annular opening (14), the width of which is adapted to the diameter of the annular disc (11), on the inside of which a counter-element corresponding to the fixing element is formed, and at one free end of which a clamping lever (17) is arranged, which is adjustable between a clamping position securing the closure (13) to the adapter piece (10) and a release position releasing the closure (13).

2. Therapy device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the parts of the fixing element and the counter element is designed as a groove (12) and the other part as an annular collar (16).

3. Therapy device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the groove (12) is V-shaped in cross section and the annular collar (16) is trapezoidal.

4. Therapy device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the groove (12) is arranged centrally on the annular disc (11) and the annular collar (16) is formed on the ring (15).

5. Therapy device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the clamping lever (17) has a cam (18) adapted in cross-section to the groove (12) and extending into the groove (12) in the clamping position 6. Therapy device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clamping lever (17) is acted upon by the force of a spring (19) securing the clamping position.

7. Therapy device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the ring opening (14) is dimensioned such that the ring disc (11) together with the clamping lever (17) in the clamping position encompasses the adapter piece (10) over an arc of more than 180°.

8. Therapy device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the axis (5) can be releasably fixed in an axis receptacle (4) of the actuator (2).

9. Therapy device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the axis (5) has a thread intended to cooperate with a threaded receptacle of the adapter piece (10).

10. Therapy device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the axis (5), the extremity connection unit (6) and the quick-change adapter (9) are provided in duplicate.

11. Therapy device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the extremity connection unit (6) is selected from a group comprising a pedal, a foot shell (7), an armrest, a handle (8).

12. Quick-change adapter (9) for a therapy device (1 ), characterized in that an adapter piece (10) is provided with an annular disc (11 ), in which a fixing element is formed at least over part of its circumference, and in that a closure (13) is provided with a ring (15) having a ring opening (14), the width of which is adapted to the diameter of the annular disc (11 ), on the inside of which a cross-section corresponding to the fixing element genelement and at one free end of which a clamping lever (17) is arranged, which is adjustable between a position fixing the closure (13) to the adapter piece (10) and a position releasing the closure (13). Quick-change adapter (9) according to claim 12, characterized in that the adapter piece (10) has a radial bearing.

Images